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Simply Said Reading Accessories

Our Mission

My main goal is to provide you and your business with elegant ways in representing your work. Sure business cards and fliers are fine to give to customers and potential clients; however give them a complimentary item that will not end up in the nearest trash can.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

My main goal is to provide you and your business with elegant ways in representing your work. Sure business cards and fliers are fine to give to customers and potential clients; however give them a complimentary item that will not end up in the nearest trash can.

~Established people who are looking to purchase keepsakes in order to show appreciation for their new and current fan base. ~Up and coming people who are looking to broaden their customer base by distributing their message and contact information in an elegant way.

As I hit year 3 of working with authors by way of “Simply Said” reading accessories; my company doing custom “Gift Marks” aka bookmarks, book thongs, book plates, and note cards, A few common denominators keep reoccurring, such as How much should I spend? What should I invest in? What will give me repeat customers? What will keep me on there mind even after the book is finished? What can I do to stand out from the rest? What will give me more bang for the BOOK?

Well, I have been dealing with many authors in the last few years and these issues reappear almost every time. YOU CAN”T SPEND MONEY TWICE!!!OR CAN YOU??? Any promo material should be designed for REPEAT BUSINESSYou want and need to BE REMEMBEREDYou Do Not Want To use the same promo materials that others have use and disgared Please watch the slide show I created about where your bookmarks end up at the end of a festivalIt clearly shows, flyers and your average bookmarks littering the streets, in huge numbers, after the festival. This happens at every festival I have attended, there is no value to them, they are common and considered disposable. Same stuff different festival.

Hmmmm, pause and think.

If you are a seasoned author or up coming with several books coming soon, YOU WANT YOUR INFORMATION TO BE RETAINEDYOU WANT TO STAND OUT FROM THE RESTBut.. How do you do this?????OKFirst you figure out how much you want to spend on publicizing your book. Do you want to spend your entire advance? Do you want to spend $100.00 or $1000.00 dollars?Who is your target audience?What are you trying to achieve?Who are you trying to reach?Break it down…Book signingsFestivals Contests from your siteHow much do you estimate to spend per event?It’s really difficult to really guess how many people will turn out to these events so estimate and then add 20%, at leastWell known events such as the B.E.A or Romance Slam Jam will pick up any overage from other events that did not have good turn outs.Do you have a press packet?You want to add a creative addition to your packet to stand out.At you more intimate book club signings. You want to give a gift for the invite and the hospitality.What about the reader who adores you and comes to you with EVERY book you have written?You want to THANK them for being loyal.What about the FAN who lives in ALASKA, where your not doing any signings???Do you disregard them? Just send them an email?Don’t you want to stay in contact with your fan base?How do you work you EPB ??On a limited budget? I started this business quite by accident. I give me clients ( I AM A HAIR STYLIST) gifts every year for Christmas and a few years ago I noticed we all have reading in common and made the BOOKMARKS for the years Christmas. Years later ( I GUESS I’m SLOW) I noticed they were still using the bookmarks and they encouraged me to do more and sell to stores which I did and do.I also do author Marcia King – Gambles hair and she commissioned me to do custom bookmarks for her, and other authors began to contact me from seeing hers thus the custom work beganThe way I see it is, it’s like a tree a seed, a tree, limbs, branches, leaves. It’s as simple as that.One thing leads to another You will never know where you may end upSo your information is pertinent on everything you put out into the universeYour SIGNATUREAs metioned earlier I create, design, and hand make

“Gift-marks”(Bookmarks)That are so unique and durable they can with stand years of use and also retain your information They are large 2 x 8 inches Heavy laminatedOr“half-marks”2 x 41/2which can fit in any wallet again after your book is finished being read

Hand cut with torn paper edges and a satin ribbonCreating a concept for your “gift-mark”. Is always up to you, what you want to say and what image you want to get across to your readers. You can have your photo, your book covers, listings of past and up coming releases, or use picture I have to design your “gift-mark”.Some authors even want more such as pearls or rose petals added, whatever you can think of can be doneThe “gift-marks can also be autographed with a sharpie

The Book ThongAre also bookmarks , but they are jewelry for the book lovers.They are sexy, (just the name alone) swinging, eye catching, which will bring peoples eyes to your book… colorful and very unique.We can coordinate the colors with your book cover or theme.The book thongs are wonderful gifts to book clubs, your more intimate signings as well as contests on your site. They come in many colors and variations.

Book PlatesDo you have readers in Alaska???Planning on going to do a signing there?Well hopefully you do have readers there and you do want to autograph and acknowledge them…So send the an Autographed Book Plate !!!If can have your picture book cover or a phase from your book, just sign and mail along with a “Giftmark” only .41 cent to mail. Is that customer in Alaska worth .41 cent to you?

Note CardsCan be sent to different people as a invitation, a thank you note, just a hello, I’m trying to stay on your mind. Birthday, Book club anniversary, Christmas, the choice is yours

I have had many authors order a package of all of the above. They strategically, mailed to Book groups, had them for release parties,Had many contests, mailed them to publicists and book stores and created quite a buzz. The attraction was they were different and retained your information. It also showed that you went the extra mile to be noticed, you the author did not want to be disposable.Now I am not saying not to use flyers and other bookmarks they can be effective in some venues. My product line is truly your”A” game your Sunday bestWhen you want to make a real impression that you are Investing in yourself

Presentation Is EverythingI do a lot of book events.Book Fairs, Book Festivals, Signings, On-line events, Book Club Meetings, etc. I try hard to attend these events for business, but also because I am a Book Lover, So it’s purely for enjoyment either way.I have the ability to look at things from 2 sets of eyes. One set see’s what is presentated and the other see’s the business side of it. Of course in seeing there is analyzing going on too.I see a lot of what to do, and what NOT to do.

Here’s my 2 cent…Atmosphere is everythingIf you are a romance author, bring some romance with you! and create ambiance.

If I were an author I would have a suitcase filled with props and tools to make my signing or table or booth EXTRAORDINARY.

Need A Theme ? Let Me Create One For you !!!I can layout a theme and all the props you need to create a intimate setting!!!

When I do book events, I try to have a theme, or find out what the event theme is so everything pulls together.

The object of the game is to draw people in, MADE YOU LOOK !Once you get their attention make your pitch,

PUT THE BOOK IN THERE HANDS!!! I have seen many authors do this and they sell more than those who just point to them or hold it themselves

Keep your sales pitch 3 to 4 minutes at best, because that most peoples attention span, especially if you are at a book festival.

If you are shy, the props and setups will draw people to you.

Have attractive promo items (HINT HINT) like Giftmarks, Book Thongs,

That will have you info on it for future contact.

Have them sign a guest book. This builds your mailing list. Send a Thank You Note , after the event for coming, and what’s coming up from you, add a ½ mark and a book plate

At an instore signing,You’re still a little shy, and you want to get the discussion started, or they are a little up tight because they are a little nervous.Hmmmmm , what’s an author to do????

Play a game !!!

It breaks the ice and all of the people in the group win a prizeYOUR PROMO MATERIAL !!!!

At the end of the discusson the most active participant wins a Book Thong and a bookYou’ll have a fan for life

Trust me, I started this business to support my book habit, I am first and foremost a bookaholic !!!

If you are not the creative type and would like me to help you create a attractive display or create your bag of tricks, and other Promo Materials, let me know

Some authors like to buy packages such as Thongs, full size bookmarks, ½ marks, book plates and the love notes. They customize them and send them to different targets. To maximize their reach, Book ClubsBook EventsContestsPromotional opportunitiesSignings

What Do I offerBookmarks(Giftmarks)Half-marksBook ThongsBook PlatesNote CardsPress PacketsPromotional Tools

This is what I do but,It’s all about youYour workYour wordsYour readersYour styleYour wayThe ½ mark and a book plate fit in note card and is ready to mail very personal, a very nice touch from you to your fans

A favorite “GIFT-mark” might have a useable lifetime of many years, and thus might be viewed many thousands of times. Bookmarks are an under-rated and under-appreciated vehicle for advertising

Contact Us For More Information

Hello, my name is Debra Owsley and my company is Simply Said Reading Accessories. I custom design and hand make reading accessories such as “Gift Marks” also known as Bookmarks, Book Thongs, Book Plates and note cards that I call Love Notes; for Authors Book Stores Book Clubs and Book Lovers.

This is what I do, but…it’s all about youI have been perfecting my craft for a little over 4 years as a specialty service. As an avid reader, I had to find a way to support my “Book Habit”; I have always been crafty and made some for my clients one year for Christmas, I am a hair stylist, and they encouraged me to pursue this as a business.

I also have a client who is an author and she commissioned me to custom some for her, thus the Authors Custom Work came in. I attend several major book events a year and I can proudly say that my work is appreciated by some of the finest authors, in the industry.

Book lovers can enjoy my work too! Check out my booklovers gift shop to view pre-designed selections. I love to create and make the “Giftmarks”, and Book Thongs. I have hundreds of different designs, all have wonderful quotes, sayings, or phases that speaks to you. View the catalogs here.